Anyone can pay the money and stay at the best hotels in the world, but not everyone can enjoy it like an American Express® Platinum Card Member.
Fine Hotels & Resorts1 (FHR), if you’re not familiar, is a quietly lucrative perk of the American Express Platinum Card, and, in our opinion, FHR is where you’ll see the most substantial dollar value return for your annual card fee.
In fact, Card Members unlock an average total value of US$550 per booking from the suite of complimentary benefits offered through the FHR program. Why not elevate your experience by for booking through FHR?
Now we have your attention.
American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts overview
So what is it exactly? Fine Hotels & Resorts is a uniquely American Express program that offers Platinum Card Members access to over 1,600 premium hotels and lodgings around the world. As part of the program, the hotels offer special perks exclusive to guests of American Express and give Primary and Additional Card Members the ability to earn Membership Rewards® points2 when paying with their American Express® Card.
Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits explained
Here’s a snapshot of the FHR benefits before we dive in and unpack the details. They’re consistent across all FHR bookings unless otherwise specified. It’s also worth noting that FHR frequently run special offers and promotions, so if you’re savvy, you can nab a spicy discount while also extracting more value from your stay through these FHR benefits.
Early check-in
When available, properties booked through FHR unlock a noon check-in. It’s amazing what those extra few hours can add to your overall experience on the ground. We’ll see you at the pool.
Room upgrade
When leveraged strategically (pending availability) the room upgrade perk can be incredibly advantageous. From our recent Platinum Card Challenge in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, we secured an upgrade to the corner Panoramic Suite at The Cape Hotel which retails for $3,500 per night. This was $800 more than our original booking in the one-bedroom suite. A chess, not checkers kind of move.
Complimentary breakfast
This is a welcome perk for those staying in resort-style lodgings, rather than urban hotels, as it’s likely you’ll be dining at the property each morning given the limited options nearby. Whether you use it or not, it’s nice to have it up your sleeve if you’re feeling peckish. And it’s valid for two people per room.
US $100 credit
For most bookings, unless otherwise specified, you’ll get the equivalent of US$100 credit applied to your final bill. This can be used for things on-site – activities, a spa package, or a nice bottle of wine at the hotel bar. This offer may take other forms such as a round of golf or a complimentary mini bar. What the credit can be used for will vary depending on the hotel.
Complimentary Wi-Fi
It’s wild to think that in 2024 this is still considered a perk, but anyone who’s been to the United States recently may have been taken by surprise by their lack of complimentary WiFi at major hotels. With FHR, you don’t have to give it a second thought, no matter where you are in the world.
Guaranteed 4 pm Late Checkout
After the category room upgrade, the guaranteed 4 pm late checkout is a game changer. Sleep in, head out for a day trip or make plans with no pressure to pack up early or forgo a shower before a long-haul flight. Unlike the early check-in, this perk is guaranteed.
It’s worth noting that these perks are applied per room for up to three rooms per stay per Card. This means someone with an Amex Platinum Card can book two additional rooms to accommodate friends or family and their Additional Platinum Card Members could also book up to three rooms per Card. Each room will receive these benefits.
Earning & redeeming Membership Rewards with FHR
An often overlooked part of the FHR program is that while you unlock the serious suite of aforementioned perks by booking with your American Express® Platinum Card, you’ll also earn Membership Rewards points for eligible stays2. These Membership Rewards points can then be cycled back into other redemptions, which include using points to book flights, other hotel stays, or gift cards, for example.
On the flip side, if you’d like to use a healthy stack of Membership Rewards points to soften the blow of your final bill, you can redeem them for FHR stays. You can do this in the American Express® Travel Online booking platform4. The redemption rate is 200 Membership Rewards points per $1, and the minimum redemption is 1,000 points. It’s not as juicy as, say, redeeming points for a premium plane ticket by transferring your points to airline partners, but depending on what your priorities are, it’s still a nice way to spend them.
How to book using FHR
It’s essential to know that just holding a valid American Express® Platinum Card doesn’t automatically unlock FHR benefits. Don’t think you can book directly with the property or via a third-party website and just flash your American Express® Platinum Card at reception when checking in. You must either log in to your Amex Account online and book via the Amex Travel Online platform, or call Platinum Travel.
You’ll then receive a confirmation outlining your reservation details and the specific FHR benefits you’re entitled to during your stay. You can expect a copy of this in the form of a welcome letter when checking into the FHR property reminding you of each benefit available.
Limitations and restrictions on FHR booked stays
It might not necessarily be the cheapest rate available. But on the flip side, FHR often runs exclusive discounts, complimentary nights when you book X amount of nights and other resort-specific bonuses.
You also can’t book multiple one-night stays to get multiple room credits. Nice try though.
Finally, Card Members can’t book a stay for another traveller. The eligible Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked and have their physical American Express® Card with them at check-in.
What are the best Fine Hotels & Resorts in the world?
Ah yes, the very expensive question you’ve been dying to know. Given there are 1,600 to choose from, finding the ‘exceptional’ hotels somewhere amongst a sea of ‘great’ hotels can be hard if you don’t have one in mind. Luckily, we’ve also compiled a curation of the curation; BH-approved properties you as a Boss Hunting reader should know about.
They’re cool, quirky, romantic, and mind-blowing all across Europe and North America, which is where you’ll find the bulk of FHR properties around the world. Explore our selections at the links below.
RELATED: The Best BH-Approved Fine Hotels & Resorts in North America
RELATED: The Best BH-Approved Fine Hotels & Resorts in Europe
Finally, here’s what you need to know about The Hotel Collection
You may have come across The Hotel Collection5 while perusing the Fine Hotels & Resorts on Amex Travel Online. It’s an additional collection of properties that typically features hotels that are still premium, yet more accessible and generally boutique in scale.
Perks available at participating properties in The Hotel Collection (for a minimum consecutive two-night stay) vary, but similar game-changing benefits such as ‘experience credits’ up to US $100 as well as room upgrades when available are possible if strategically found and booked by the savvy Platinum Card Member.
Like Fine Hotels & Resorts, it’s worth noting these perks are applied per room for up to three rooms per stay per Card. This means someone with an Amex Platinum Card can book two additional rooms to accommodate friends or family and their Additional Platinum Card Members could also book up to three rooms per Card. Each room will receive The Hotel Collection benefits.
Fast Facts – The American Express Platinum Card
- Card type: Charge Card
- Annual Fee: $1,450 p.a.
- Cash Flow Period: Up to 44 cash flow days and flexible spending power6
Terms & Conditions
Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees and charges apply. All information is correct as of 03/12/2024 and is subject to change. Cards are offered, issued, and administered by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). American Express income and approval criteria applies. ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company
- 1. Fine Hotels & Resorts. Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. US$100 credit varies by property. Valid only for new Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) bookings made through American Express Travel at participating properties. Special amenities, US$100 Credit and FHR benefits vary by property and some benefits are subject to availability. Credit is applied in US dollars or equivalent in local currency based on the exchange rate on the day of check-out. Unused credit will be forfeited at check-out. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member’s name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Participating Fine Hotels + Resorts properties and benefits are subject to change. Limit one benefit package per room, per stay. 3 room limit per Platinum and Centurion Member, per stay. For full FHR Terms and Conditions, please visit amex.com.au/fhr.
- 2. Membership Rewards Program. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. You will earn 1 point per dollar spent with Merchants classified as ‘government’, including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), Federal/State and Local Government bodies, including where you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant.
- 3. Pricing is based off the average room rate per night for a One-Bedroom Suite at The Cape, A Thompson Hotel in AUD for travel in September 2023. Pricing is subject to change at any time and availability may vary. Please check American Express Travel Online for current pricing for your travel dates.
- 4. Use Points with American Express Travel Online. To redeem Membership Rewards points with American Express Travel Online, you need to have available limit on your Card for the full transaction amount of the booking. You will then receive a statement credit within 3 business days for your points redemption. If the credit isn’t on the same statement as the transaction, it should appear on your next statement. Please pay all amounts due each month. You will earn Membership Rewards points on the full dollar amount charged to your Card. All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions of our Membership Rewards Program. View the full Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions here.
- 5. The Hotel Collection. The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Payment must be made in full with an eligible American Express Card in the Card Member’s name. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, Card Member must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
- 6. Flexible spending power. Unless we tell you otherwise, your American Express Charge card comes with flexible spending power, also known as no-pre-set spending limit. This means that the amount you can spend is dynamic and can adapt based on your transaction patterns, your businesses credit rating and other factors. The way you use your Card can help your spending power grow, particularly in the first few months. To help maximise your spending power, you can make regular transactions and don’t miss any payments.
